Man arrested for Columbia University raid charged with stealing flag from pro-Israeli protester

Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News

May 2, 2024 at 11:39 a.m.·1 min read

NEW YORK — One of the protesters busted in the police raid at Columbia University this week also faces charges for an earlier incident in which a protester carrying an Israeli flag was attacked outside the school, police said Thursday.

James Carlson, 40, was charged Wednesday with criminal mischief, arson, and possession of stolen property. His alleged accomplices are still being sought.

Police said that on April 20 a 22-year-old man was taking part in a demonstration pitting pro-Israeli protesters against pro-Palestinian protesters. As the victim walked past Amsterdam Ave. and W. 116th St. carrying an Israeli flag, Carlson ripped the flag away from him and ran off, according to police.

When the victim started to give chase, a second attacker threw a rock, hitting him in the face. A third man set the flag on fire, police said.

The victim suffered a minor injury but did not need medical attention.

Carlson was inside Hamilton Hall when police raided it Tuesday night and busted protesters who had hours earlier taken over the building and barricaded themselves inside, police said.

He was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief,

A total of 282 protesters were arrested at Columbia and City College of New York Tuesday night, including at least 27 by CCNY security officers.

According to the most recent tally, 188 people were issued summons, mostly for trespassing and failure to disperse, and were released. Another 43 were arrested and went through the system, charged mostly with burglary, with some also charged with assault.

Ten others were arrested on lesser charges, given a desk appearance and released. It wasn’t yet clear if the remaining 41 protesters were issued summons or criminally charged.

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